Page 164 of A Blightress of Wrath
Itook one last glimpse at the tall tower from which the city took its name, blewClairanniaa kiss, and stepped into my power.
Isighed in relief returning to my home, my bag dropped and forgotten on the steps of theFortress, my arms aroundThevinasIburied my face in his neck, taking in his scent of garden dirt and rain.
Helifted me off the ground, wrapping his arms at my back to hold me, speaking into my hair in a muffled voice, “Needlessto say,I’vemissed you.”
Islipped to the ground, rising on my toes to kiss him fervently. “Needlessto say,Ilove you.”
Henipped at my bottom lip. “Needlessto say,Ilove you as well, and shall not let you go for a week.”
Ilaughed, tilting my head back where he leaned in to kiss my neck. “Needlessto say,Iaccept your offer and suggest we begin right?—”
“Ifyou don’t need to say it, why do you keep doing so?”Moirasat on the stone staircase railing, plucking at the green ivy leaves which had once again wound up the sides.
“Herewe go,”Thevinmuttered at my ear.
Igiggled and pushed away from him, bringing a finger to the vine where a dozen new leaves unfurled. “It’sjust one of those things humans say,Moira.”Iwatched her lick her hand, pasting her sticky saliva onto the leaf before patting it across her chest.
“Seemslike a lot of extra words to me,” she said, shrugging.
“Doyou know where my parents are?”Iasked. “Theysaid they’d be here whenIarrived.”
Herviolet gaze turned to me, and she grinned, displaying her sharp teeth. “Itwashim.”Shejabbed a thumb atThevin. “Hemade sure they’d be gone when you got here.”
Iturned toThevinwith my brows raised.
Herubbed his faced, forcing a hand through his golden curls. “Itried to get rid of her, too, but she refused to leave.”
Moirastuck out her long green tongue, shaking her head. “Iwas never going to listen toyou.Besides,” she added, “Karustried to stay, too, but that hairy bog monster of hers folded her over his shoulder and carried her away.”Sherolled her eyes. “They’vebeen gone for at least anhour.Iwas waiting for them to get back here to greet you.”
ImetThevin’sgaze, suppressing a grin.
Hestarted down the steps, picking up my bag and taking my hand, saying “Ithink they got the hint you didn’t,Moira.”
Shescoffed, adding another leaf to her chest and calling as we hurried onto the path through the trees, “Whydon’t you humans just say what you mean!”
Welaughed with arms wrapped around each other’s waist, unwilling to let each other go.
“I’llsay whatImean,”Thevinstarted. “Imean to show you something special.”
Irested my head on his shoulder. “Pleasetell me it’s a picnic andIget to eat.Iwas so busy with theViceroyand her father this morning,Iskipped breakfast.”
Hekissed the top of my head, steering us down a less trodden path. “You’llsee.IsViceroyMallawell?Howgoes the transition?”
“Sheis well.Thepeople have decided to allow her to officially becomeLadyof theSpireand start a new matriarchal line with the caveat that her first daughter be named after the missingLadyLanna.”
“Soundslike a good compromise.”
“Itis.Thepeople do love her, and she has great plans for increasing the number of medicus camps that travel through the less populated areas of the isle.Ihear they are much needed in the north as more towns arise from the abandoned forests there.”
Thevinhummed, turning us again. “You’veworked your miracles even more in the month you were gone.”
Ihuffed a laugh. “Iwonder ifI’llever feel likeI’mdoing en?—”
Istopped in my tracks.
He’dled us to a tiny clearing between the trees which once grew a few patches of grass and an enormous bed of purple crocus.Now, it hosted a cottage built of gray stone with sunshine yellow shutters and a sky-blue front door.Apath of river rocks led to a few garden beds nearby, already filled with new growthIrecognized as potatoes.
Mymouth agape,Istared in awe, tears begging to spill down my cheeks.
